Selector mechanism for automatic phonographs



Nov. 14, 1950 L. J. ANDRES 2,530,347

SELECTOR MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Filed Aug. 17, 1946 J'ZW QL IIITIV/A INVENTORL Patented Nov. 14, 1950 SELECTOR MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Lloyd 1.. Andres, Itasca, IlL, assignor, by'mesne assignments, toH. G. Evans & Company, Chi ca-go, ,Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application August 17, 1946, .SerialNo. 691,191

In prior selectors in which a self-restoring construction has been employed, the structure has been quite complicated and has involved serious difficulties both in manufacture and in operation. The elements have necessitated precise manufacture and adjustment and many more parts have been required than in the present construction. Furthermore, the problem of removing individual elements which might require repair or replacement has been a difficult one, since the individual elements could not be separately removed and the removal and replacement required great skill and often the complete disassembly of the mechanism. From the standpoint of operation the prior mechanisms have 4 Claims. (01. 274- been relatively uncertain in action and have been limited to comparatively slow speeds of the selector drum (to be hereinafter described). For example, prior constructions have been limited to drum speeds on the order of ten revolutions per minute, whereas the device of the present invention is capable of positive restoration at drum speeds on the order of two hundred revolutions per minute.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a selector mechanism which overcomes these manufacturing and operational problems and which is much-more simple in constructionand efiicient in operation.

One of the more specific objects of the invention is to provide in a self-restoring latch construction shock absorbing means which will not only protect the mechanism from undue strain but will render more certain the reengagement of the latch elements in. the self-restoring operation. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the part of the phonograph mechanism in which th invention is contained; I

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the section line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detailed elevational view ofcerta'in of the elements shown in Fig. 2 taken from .the

left hand side of the latter figure;

Fig. 5 is a like view with the elements hown in still another position.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the elements of the mechanism are supportedbyside frames I, anupper later.

respond in number and ,position to the ber of lugs 5 on the selector druml.

(see Fig. 2), the frame also including a astainer '3 for a bank of electromagnets to be later mentioned.

.A selector drum 4 is journaled in operating relationship with the frame I and is provided with a series of lugs 5 helically arranged about itsouter surface. This drum is adapted to be driven by means not shown and the lugs 5 thereon coact with the selector latches .to be described .An operating crank 6 is pivotally suspended from the frame members I on pivots! and is so arranged that it will be actuated upon operation of any one of the selector latch devicesrof which a considerable number are arranged between the frame members I.

One of the latch units is shown in Figs. 2 5 inclusive, of the drawingsyit' being, understood that the other units are of the same construction and that the number of such units will cornum- Theprincipal latch elements are positioned 'infslots 8 and 9 (see Fig. '2) in the upper and lower frame elements 2 and ill, respectively. Said e1ements2 and ill are positionedparallel "to each. other and are supported'by and between the frame members 1, I shown in Fig. .1.

Operating latches II are pivotally supported on upper cross member Zby a r'od'lZ mountedfin fixed position in said cross member. An open notch I3 is provided in a head portion of the latch H to permit movement and removal of. said latch as hereinafter described.

Tripping latches l4 are pivotedona rod. [5

integral with lower frame member Ill, and, like slots Hi to facilitate removal and replacement and to permit other movement as' hereinafter described. .A plurality of individual magnets. ll areso positionedin frame element 3 that the .polepieces thereof will individually act-upon armature .members l8 secured. to latches It, as shown in Figs..2, 4 and 5.

Springs 19, having their. opposite \endsssecuredto'the latches ll atZlJ and to the latches .lejlat' '2] are provided forlholding said latches yieldingly in engagement with thepivot .pins. l:2 and. l5' respectively. A working snare of :the latches M'is' normally held by the spring 19 in engagement with amatin abutment 2.1 .onthe head portion of .thelatches l.l.. 7 r A tripping crank 22, .pivotally mounted at 2.3 in the endiplates I, is positioned .in the. path frame element'2, and a lower frame element H1 of movement of extensions; 24 of the latches ll,

as shown in Fig. 2 and a bearing rod 25 is rigidly secured to the member ID in the path of movement of said extensions 24.

Fig. 3 illustrates the position of the spring I9 in relation to the latches II and I4 and their relation to the frame members 2 and Ill.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows:

Referring to Fig. 2, which shows all elements in their normal rest position, the working end 26 of the latch I4- is held in engagement with a mating abutment 21 on the latch II by the force exerted between the said latches by the spring I9. In this rest position the working end 28 of the extension 24 of the latch II is held out of the path of movement of corresponding lug 5 on the drum 4.

Referring to Fig. 4 showing the condition when the magnet I! has been momentarily energized, the tripping latch I4 will have been moved to the position shown because of the attraction ,of the armature, I8 by the magnet H, which overcomes the normal tension of the spring I9. Under these conditions, the operating latch II will have moved to the position shown, also by the action of spring I9, and in so doing will have moved the crank 22 about its pivot 23, which latter movement is normally used to start rotation of the drum in the direction shown by arrow through the medium of a motor (not shown). At this time the working end 28 of latch II will have moved into thepath of its corresponding lug 5 on said drum 4.

The next function of the device is illustrated in Fig. 5 wherein the lug 5, in moving with the drum 4 in the direction shown by arrow, will have engaged the working end 28 of the latch I I, which latch will thus, have been moved against the restraining action of spring I9 to an upper position as shown, being guided in this movement by the rods I2 and 25. This upward movement of latch I I is made possible by the clearance in slot I3. Thus, a second function of the selector is accomplished by moving crank member 6 about its pivot 1 to perform a selecting operation in other mechanism (not shown).

When the elements are in the position as shown in Fig. 5, it will be noted that the latch abutment v2'I has moved upward sumciently far to provide for re-engagement with the working end 26 of the latch I4. This re-engaging movement is the result of .the camming action of the rod 25 against one surface of the working end of the latch I I. The restoring action of the device is completed when lug 5 disengages the-working end 28, of the extension 24 of the latch I I, which permits the spring I9 to restore said latch H and the latch I4 to their initial positions shown in Fig. 2.

, It will also be noted that the disengagement of said working end 28 of the latch llfrom'the lug 5 is accompanied by a shock engagement of the abutment 21 and the workin end 28 of the latch I4. In previous selectors no provision was made to absorb this shock, whereas in the present construction, due to the slotted end I B engaging the rod I5, momentary movement under the influence of spring I9 in a downward direction takes place, thus avoiding undue shock and eliminating the possibility of disengagement of the working end 26 of the latch I4 from the abutment 21.

It will be apparent that either or both of the latch elements I I and I4 may be removed and replaced, without disturbing any other parts of the device, by manually unhooking the slotted 4 ends of the latches I I and I4 from rods I2 and I5, respectively. The latches may then be moved outwardly, together with spring I9, from the cross members 2 and I0, thus fulfilling one of the principal objects of the invention.

The simplicity of the construction will also now be evident, comprising, as it does, essentially only the two self-restoring latches II and I4 for performing all the functions heretofore performed by much more complicated and less eflicient mechanism.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. In combination with a selector drum and a selector-actuated element of an automatic phonograph, selector mechanism comprising a support, an operating latch pivotally connected to said support and having a working part movable into the path of an actuating lug on said selector drum and a part arranged to actuate said selector-actuated element of the phonograph when force is applied to said first-mentioned part by said actuating lug, an abutment on said operating latch, a tripping latch pivotally connected to said support by a pin-and-slot connection, permitting lineal as well as pivotal movement of such latch, and having a working part normally engaging said abutment on the operating latch, means for operating the tripping latch to disengage the same from said operating latch, and means for thereupon 'moving said operating latch into the path of said lug, the operating latch being movable by the'lug to a position in which it is disengagedby the latter and in which the abutment thereon is automatically re-engageable by said working part on the tripping latch upon disengagement of the operating latch by said lug, said tripping latch being movable lineally by said operating latch, in shock absorbing motion, upon re-engagement of said abutment with said working part.

2. In combination with a selector drum and a selector-actuated element of an automatic phonograph, selector mechanism comprising a support, an operating latch pivotally connected to said support and having a working part movable into the path of an actuating lug on said selector drum and a part arranged to actuate said selector-actuated element of the phonograph when force is applied to said first-mentioned part by said actuating lug, an abutment on'said operating latch, a tripping latch .pivotally con.- nected to said support and having a working part normallyfengaging said abutment on the operating latch, the pivotal connection between said latches and said support comprising pivot pins on the support and open slots in the latches permitting free movement and ready removal of the latter, means for operating the tripping latch to disengage the same, from said operating latch, and means for thereupon movingasaid operating latch into the path of said lug, the operating latch being movable by the lug to a position in which it is disengaged by the latter and in which the abutment thereon is automatically reengageable by said working part on the tripping latch upon disengagement of the operating latch by said lug, said tripping latch being movable lineally by said operating latch, in shock absorbing motion, upon re-engagement of said abutment with said working part.

3. In combination with a selector drum and a selector-actuated element of an automatic phonograph, selector mechanism comprising a support, an operating latch pivotally connected to said support and having a working part mova ble into the path of an actuating lug on said selector drum and a part arranged to actuate said selector-actuated element of the phonograph when force is applied to said first-mentioned part by said actuating lug, an abutment on said operating latch, a tripping latch pivotally connected to said support by a pin-and-slot con-' nection, permitting lineal as well as pivotal movement of such latch, and having a working part normally engaging said abutment on the operating latch, spring means tending to draw said latches toward each other and to hold said working part in engagement with said abutment, means for operating the tripping latch to disengage the same from said operating latch, and means for thereupon moving said operating latch into the path of said lug, the operating latch being movable by the lug to a position in which it is disengaged by the latter and in which the abutment thereon is automatically re-engageable by said working part on the tripping latch upon disengagement of the operating latch by said lug, said tripping latch being movable lineally by said operating latch, in shock absorbing motion, upon re-engagement of said abutment with said working part.

4. In combination with a selector drum and a selector-actuated element of an automatic phonograph, selector mechanism comprising a support, an operating latch vpivotally connected to said support and having a working part movable into the path of an actuating lug on said selector drum and a part arranged to actuate said selector-actuated element of the phonograph when force is applied to said first-mentioned part by said actuating lug, an abutment on said operating latch, a tripping latch pivotally connected to said support and having a working part normally engaging said abutment on the operating latch, means for operating the tripping latch to disengage the same from said operating latch, means for thereupon moving said operating latch into the path of said lug, the operating latch being movable by the lug to a position in which it is disengaged by the latter and in which the abutment thereon is automatically re-engageable by said working .part on the tripping latch upon disengagement of the operating latch by said lug, and shock-absorbing means, including a loose connection between said trippinglatch and said support, permitting yielding movement of the tripping latch upon re-engagement of the operating latch therewith.

LLOYD J. ANDRES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,064,868 Yeider Dec. 22, 1936 2,104,032 Green Jan. 4, 1938 

